After our family and friends hear that we have been diagnosed with breast cancer, they often tend to think we should be resting, or at least reducing our activities, and that it’s in our best interests to suddenly become a couch potato.

Actually, just the opposite is true. Some good, old-fashioned exercise is what you need now. Really. Research studies have now shown that exercise, for example, reduces the fatigue that commonly is a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation. We also know that getting your range of motion and arm strength back is critically important after breast cancer surgery.

You don’t have to be lifting weights and marathoning to see results. A range of more humble types of exercise-aerobics, stretching, yoga, swimming, power walking-are all great for you.

Once you get into a routine, you’ll soon find that you feel energized after exerting yourself, and that your surgical wounds are healing better and your immune system is also improving.

So no excuses: Put the potato chip bag down, turn off the TV, get up, and start moving!

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